Board finance committee chairman
Valerie Andersen
said the budget meets the educational needs of the students, "was prepared by staff with the strategic plan in mind" and addresses the high priority maintenance and repairs needed.

She noted there will be a reduction of the equivalent of three teachers and six para-educators, which she said was a reflection of declining enrollments. Enrollment is expected to drop by 25 percent by 2017.

"We think it's a reasonable increase," Ms. Andersen said, remarking expenses are up and the economy does not allow much flexibility.

Kate McConaghy
, the mother of a Sherman student who attends Shepaug and parent council member, said fewer students from Sherman are choosing Shepaug for high school in part because of concerns about bus availability.

She suggested the board was losing significant revenue from tuition -- $11,000 to $12,000 a child -- by putting the $40,000 cost of the bus on Sherman.

Mr. Lord said he could not support the budget. He said the net increase is closer to 1.5 percent since the revenue from Sherman, which goes to the towns, is dropping.

Mr. Lord said he was disappointed the majority of the board failed to support member
Jim Hirschfield
's earlier request to ask the administration what reductions could be made to bring in a zero increase.

He noted teachers refused to make wage concessions yet Roxbury employees, including union workers, were getting no increases, and some have hours reduced.

He said in the current economy businesses are giving unions a choice -- concessions or job cuts. "Your teachers made their choice and it's time for you to act, and reduce your staff," Mr. Lord said.

Member
Ed Wainwright
agreed with Mr. Lord, remarking during the board meeting, "We have a lot of fat cats here."

A move by Ms. Andersen to reduce the budget by $100,000 to remove the money tapped for repairs required in yet unsigned leases failed in a 10-1 vote.

A move by Mr. Wainwright to reduce the budget to $1 less than a zero percent increase was supported by members Mr. Hirschfield,
Tony Bedini
,
Kelly Lott
and
Andy Engel
. The five also voted against the $20.8 million budget.